I'm Erin & this is me with my kiddos. Yes they are twins. No, they are not identical. Yes, I knew I was having twins. No, twins do not run in our family.
No, these little darlings are not coming with me.
This conference is about me, not my kids.
I'm a nervous conference newbie. Although I know my roommates pretty well (@elainea & @birdonthestreet), Blissdom is big, the Opryland Hotel is huge, and I'm feeling very, very small. I'm grateful for the Blissdom column I've created in Tweetdeck so I can easily "meet" and "see" everyone beforehand and try to match names and faces with blog titles, etc. But please forgive me if I confuse you with someone else or call you by the wrong name.
I'm going to Nashville to learn how to be a better writer and blogger. I'm a sponge just dying to absorb absolutely everything I can. I'm going so I can meet other people who want similar things and network with them. We will learn from each other, too.
I tend to be shy. I love to laugh and I giggle a lot when I'm anxious. I have to fight the urge to go hide in a corner. I'm terrible at starting up conversations. But next week I am going to stuff all my insecurities so I can get the most out of the conference, out of you, and out of myself. I don't want to waste those three precious days worrying about the kids, the dog, and whether or not the house is on fire; this is my time. And you know what? I am fun, damn it. So let's hang out and have a blast!
Blissdom is my gift to myself: it's for me, about me. Because I'm worth it.
What about you? If you're not going to Blissdom, what have you done for yourself lately?
51 comments:
Oh...SWEET ENOUGHNESS!!!
My breath caught as I read this powerful post!
I can speak first hand about this woman...anyone who gets to meet her beautiful, smiling self in person...consider yourself LUCKY and BLESSED!!! SHE ROCKS!!!
So happy you are doing this for YOU!!!
I'm still so up in the air about going to a blog conference this spring! And if I do go? Am worried that I'm just going drink my anxiety away and make a fool out of myself.
ACK.
Have a blast. Can't wait to hear about it!
OOOOH the Opryland HOtel! Very swanky! I went to college in Nashville and visited the hotel when they put up their holiday lights. It was worth the drive out there! We stayed there once too, when I was about 13 and in the middle of the night, the fire alarms went off!! That was so weird. But it wasn't one of those tall hotels, so if we'd had to jump, that would have been ok. After the flood last year, they had to do some major renovation, so you'll be lucky, getting to have all new stuff there! Enjoy the Music City!
I am so excited and jealous. You will bloom like a flower.
I love that pic of you and the girls.
Have fun! I've only been in the blogosphere since September and I'm feeling a little conference envy. One of these days I'll squirrel away the cash to get to one!
what wonderful roomies! I can't wait to meet all of y'all ;-)
the nametags are nice and big and help tremendously ;-) ;-)
Adorable picture of y'all!
See you soon!
You will not be in the corner, you will not be small.
You will find your voice and "wow" them all.
You are unique, special and have so much laughter,
I know so many will remember you for years after.
I am honored to have met you and cant wait for our time,
I am going to stop this now before I can't find another rhyme!
See you soon, Squishy!
I relate. I'm so nervous about Blissdom, and also so excited.
I can't wait to meet everyone. And I'm terrified to meet everyone (there's a reason I'm a writer and not, say, an actress or public speaker).
I love what you say about stuffing the insecurities. I'm going to do my best not to get in my own way!
See you there - looking so forward to meeting you. :)
Have fun! I've always wanted to go to a blog conference, but I've never been to one.
have a fantastic time...love that you are taking time to go do something for you!!!!!!!! Hope it is everything you're wishing it is...
Go...HAVE FUN!!!Can't wait to see what you come back to tell us through your words.
PSSHHT please sweetie just be YOU and they will all be blown away by the funny, intelligent gifted woman you are..
Blissdom sounds like it will be a blast and I'm sure you are a blast and will have a lot of fun! I'm looking forward to hearing the lowdown afterwards. I'm going to Bloggy Bootcamp in March and am already feeling nervous about it, but excited, too!
I will be right there at Blissdom with you next year! Unfortunately, I joined the blogosphere a wee bit too late to feel worthy of attending the conference this year. Have a wonderful time! I can't wait to hear a detailed account of your experience.
What am I doing for me? I am going out to but a webcam today so I can "meet" my new friends within the blogosphere and keep in touch with all of my friends in other states. This is a big step since I'm such a Luddite!
I can't wait to see you there! It's going to be great. Lots of learning, lots of fun, lots of great people!
Yeah. Yeah. Whatever. ;)
**Can you tell I'm jealous?**
Have fun!
I just know you are going to have a fabulous time at Blissdom. Enjoy your time and meeting all those wonderful ladies!
What have I done for myself lately?
Well, besides taxing myself with too many projects (not good) I met this wonderful, kind lady online and then had the good fortune to chat with her on the phone. She was awesome and I think we'll be friends for some time to come.
(and that's definitely good!)
Hugs,
Terri
Good for you and have fun! We want to hear all about it.
Yeah for you!!!!
I need to think about something that I want to do for myself. this is a hard thing believe it or not.
I for one cannot WAIT to hang out with you again and I KNOW you are fun! It's gonna be so great. and you're gonna have a fabulous time!!
I can't believe it's just a little over a week away!! SQUEE!!
p.s. did you link this up anywhere? I was thinking of doing one too and just curious if anyone was hosting a link up for "get to know" me posts but you probably would have mentioned it if there were... anyway...
xoxoxo
All my friends are going to conferences!!! Lucky.
Awwww. If I could go I would come find you so we could hang out!
I am looking forward to meeting you. I really am.
Please try not to confuse me with the other people at Blissdom. I know there will be so many - I'll try to be recognizable.
If you see me hiding in the corner please come pull me out.
signed,
a fellow soon to be Blissdom sponge
Hi Erin -- Tracie and I were just talking about Blissdom today. We can't make it this year, but maybe next year. To show you what a "newbie" I am, I had never even heard of it. I just got back from the Modern Language Association conference in CA. Did you ever do to that as an English major? It's scary huge, so I know what you're feeling. Just be yourself and don't be afraid to be different. I refused to wear black at MLA and that alone made me different than the thousands of other people there!
SO jealous. I wanted to go. You'll have fun - promise. Just forget your nerves and put yourself out there. It'll rock.
Okay, I'm both totally excited for you and jealous! Can't wait to read about your fab time there!
-Ally
That's awesome! You will have a blast and meet so many amazing people and they will think you are amazing too!
I have two things coming up.
One is a night at bed and breakfast with 14 other ladies and we are going to chill and have fun and feed our Twilight addiction, lol.
The other is a two day scrapbook/craft event with over 20+ women and I'm going to crochet, teach crochet and just hang out with my friends.
Can't wait for ME time!
You are damn fun!! And everyone at the conference who gets to meet you will have a little more bliss in there life!!
And btw, that picture of you and the girls is BEAUTIFUL!!! You all look great!!
Good for you! Side note:My SIL has twins, and all of those questions are always the same, and annoying for her too. Her kids look NOTHING alike, and everyone always asks if they're identical.
Ok, about the post. SO happy you're treating yourself. I'm going to have to admit I'm jealous. I would love to go to an in person event. Maybe next year? :)
YOU are going to have the best posts on blissdom.
So, for that, I say, go girl...
and how smart to create a blissdom column as prep work.
How very smart.
I CANNOT wait!!
This is a great idea for a post! See you next week!
SO BUMMED! I'm not going to be there and will miss a chance to meet you!! Have fun, take pics, and have a drink for me :)
You're little snippet about twins and answering the questions you know people are going to ask? I totally relate!
Have fun!!!
Look at you! Who knew you were as lovely outside as inside? Conferences are really intimidating, particularly for shy folks, but I know you'll be brilliant. Can't wait to hear every little detail!
I Make jokes when I'm nervous. And I'm nervous. But I can't wait to meet you.
Great perspective! Have a wonderful time and do share about your experience after!
You daughters are beautiful little girls. I am glad you are doing this for yourself. I have friends who have gotten married had kids and then spent all their time taking care of the husband and kids; they do nothing for themselves. So, you go girl, you deserve it!
Very excited for you and jealous of the opportunity you're facing.
Step out, sister. Reach out to the other attendees because I promise you, there will be many just like you.
We tend to put on our masks to protect our vulnerable nervous self...remember that and then make the effort to speak to those mask wearers anyway...you and they will be grateful!
Maybe you should just put that bit about the twins on a poster to save time. Sounds like you've been through that a time or two!
Every reason you listed are the same reasons I have never gone to a blog conference before!! I'm so bold on my blog but in person...yikes! I get so tongue-tied and shy...I'm always afraid people won't like me so I shut them out before they can do it to me. Isn't that horrible??
I'm proud of you for stepping outside your comfort zone and doing this for yourself!!! You deserve it!
You're going to have so much fun.
I wish I was going just so I could meet all the kick ass bloggers that are going to be there.
I'll be there, and I'm a newbie, too! I'm SUPER nervous, but also excited. I feel like I'm going to have 40,000 "new girl at school" moments, as I'm not going with anybody else. Eeek!
ZOMG! You will rock Blissdom. Hell, I was your 'mirror partner' at CIP. And I know all! ;)
Have fun. Relax. YOU have such wonderful gifts to bring to the conference. People will fall in love with you like I did. :)
If I had a, um, blog, I'd be there too (self inflicted ass kick) Go forth and rock Blissdom (give Scott Stratten a kiss for me)
I loved your post the 1st conf. is always overwhelming you get so excited and meet so many people it is a blur. This is my 1st Blissdom. I am not shy, so if you are in the corner I will come talk to you so do not be scared I don't bite. I tend to talk too much when I first meet people (nervous talking mixed with NJ/Philly thing)
It will be amazing if not come find me and we will make it be wonderful together.
Ok I better stop Babbling and start Packing Meet you soon!
Safe travels and have a BLAST! I'll be watching to read your posts about it.
xo jj
PS Your kids are darling.
You are going to have a blast and there won't be a corner that will take you Erin!!!
Enjoy yourself!!! xoxoxo!!!
Ha! I LOVE the intro about your twins, like you just automatically spout that off, and you probably do. I just need to carry a sign with me everywhere I go. "Yes, my hands are full, thank you for noticing."
I am so glad you are treating yourself! Have a great time!
You will love it, I just know you will! Have an awesome time, and just relax! You're among friends...
You MUST write about it when you get back!
I hope it will be all that you expect it to be, and more!
You'll be fine, and will meet people who will become great bloggy friends.
Darling picture of you and the girls. They look like little dolls. :)
Have a wonderful time! I wish I was going so we could meet.
Your daughters are gorgeous!
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